Learning Culture
Embedding a learning culture across an organisation means all employees can take part in meaningful learning activities as part of their everyday work.
A learning culture exists at every level of an organisation. It includes learning as an individual, with peers, and in groups, through both formal training and informal experiences.
As identified in the APS Learning and Development Strategy, a continuous learning culture is essential for adapting to change and supporting long term capability. This means all APS employees need opportunities to learn constantly from their work and from others, as described in the APS Continuous Learning Model.
Although every employee contributes to creating a continuous learning environment, supporting this culture is also a key role of Learning and Development (L&D). This role is different from other learning services because embedding organisation wide change and maintaining a learning culture is complex, long-term and ongoing.
Start with the learning culture toolkit: implementation guidance for practical tools, templates and step-by-step guidance to support learning culture initiatives in your organisation.
This page brings together guidance and resources to enable, build and sustain a strong organisational learning culture.
This page is currently under development and will continue to be updated with additional links and resources.
Resources
Practical guidance, checklists and maturity tools to help APS agencies build, embed and sustain a strong learning culture.
This resource outlines how informal and formal mentoring help build a strong learning culture in the Australian Public Service (APS). This type of mentoring supports capability, stewardship, integrity and the Australian community.
Learn how to plan and deliver effective learning communications that build awareness, drive participation, support completion and guide learners throughout their learning journey.
Interactive leadership simulation where managers make decisions to build a learning culture while maintaining service delivery, then reflect on impacts, outcomes and future improvement strategies.
The APS Continuous Learning Model promotes learning through work, people, courses and resources, helping employees build capability, improve performance and adapt to changing roles and priorities.
A learning culture means everyone learns continuously through daily work, collaboration, and accessible resources. It requires shared responsibility, supportive leaders, and aligns learning to organisational goals.
Career growth in the APS comes from curiosity and self-reflection. Managers should encourage skill development and regular reflection to boost motivation, feedback, and professional growth within teams.
Team meetings are key learning opportunities. Effective time management in these settings boosts engagement and supports a continuous learning culture. This fact sheet offers practical guidance.
It’s important to not only decide what skills and knowledge you want to develop, but also how you’re going to learn them. Use this downloadable development planning template to identify the learning experiences you’ll use to develop your skills and knowledge.
Networks and Communities
The APS L&D Community of Practice connects learning and development professionals across agencies to share tools, ideas and good practice, strengthening capability, collaboration and innovation in workforce learning.
Courses
